Museums and Castles events
Browse the exciting range of upcoming events and activities across our Museums and Castles sites!
To see What's On over the next month, click 'In the next 7 days' and change it to 'In the next 30 days'.
You can then filter by category, venue and age ranges.
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You can download our Autumn / Winter What’s On for Families guide here (PDF). We have copies at our museums and Pontefract Castle.
You can also download our What’s On for Families guide in accessible Word Document format.
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Dungeon Tours
Pontefract Castle
15 Nov 2024
Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.
Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.
Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours
Pontefract Castle
15 Nov 2024
Kaleidoscope! Colour and light for under 5s
Wakefield Museum
15 Nov 2024
Bright colours and pretty lights for little ones!
Get cosy in our Front Room with a range of magical multisensory activities for under 5s.
Make amazing artwork together using light panels and colour. Follow a toddler-sized colourful trail around the museum.
Create a lovely lantern to take home and light up your toddler’s space.
You can also tick off the following on your 50 Things to Do Before You’re 5:
#4 Make your Mark
#11 Making Connections
#40 Happy History
Free and no booking required.
This activity is part of Light Up - Fringe activity and Our Year - Wakefield District 2024
Museum by Torchlight
Wakefield Museum
15 Nov 2024
See Wakefield Museum in a completely new light: by torchlight!
Bring your torch, or borrow one of ours.
Follow our torchlit spotters trail – can you find everything in the dark?
Explore the museum out of hours, in this special event as part of Light Up 2024.
What will you discover after dark?
Free and no booking required.
This activity is part of Light Up - fringe activity and Our Year - Wakefield District 2024
Dungeon Tours
Pontefract Castle
16 Nov 2024
Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.
Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.
Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours
Pontefract Castle
16 Nov 2024
Family Fun at Castleford Museum
Castleford Museum
16 Nov 2024
Join the Castleford Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.
With different themed craft and activities each week, what will you make?
All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!
Free and no booking required
Family Fun at Pontefract Museum
Pontefract Museum
16 Nov 2024
Join the Pontefract Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.
With different themed craft and activities each week, what will you make?
All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!
Free and no booking required
November’s Museum Meet-up @ Wakefield Museum (18+)
Wakefield Museum
16 Nov 2024
Join us this month, on Saturday lunchtime at Wakefield Museum, to meet new people, learn about your local area and get hands-on with some creative fun!
This month we’ll be having a go at lino printing inspired by the Wakefield Museums and Castles card collection.
There will also be the chance to chat and enjoy a brew and a biscuit.
We will meet at the Learning Zone which is located within Wakefield Library, floor one of Wakefield One.
Jane will be your host, to greet you and lead the session.
Book your free place in our Museum Meetup group
Access requirements? Email us museumslearning@wakefield.gov.uk or call on 01924 302700
Family Fun: Lanterns and lamplight
Wakefield Museum
16 Nov 2024
How did the people of Wakefield brighten up their dark nights in the past? Find out and make your own light installations at the museum!
Get hands on with light themed objects from our collections.
Experiment with different materials to create your own light art.
Make a colourful lantern to take home.
Free and no booking required.
This activity is part of Light Up - Fringe activity and Our Year - Wakefield District 2024
Dungeon Tours
Pontefract Castle
17 Nov 2024
Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.
Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.
Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours
Pontefract Castle
17 Nov 2024
Toddler Tuesdays (Every Tuesday in term time)
Castleford Museum
19 Nov 2024
Join Charlie Bear every Tuesday during term time for a lively session of storytelling, crafts and rhymes!
We’ll be inspired by museum objects and a different theme each month. There's also a weekly Charlie Bear Challenge to try together!
Activities link to the following of your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5
#4 Make your Mark
#6 Rhyme Time
#10 Sharing books
#40 Happy History
Every Tuesday in term time, 10am – 11am
Free – No booking required
Castleford Crafts (Over 16s, Monthly)
Castleford Museum
19 Nov 2024
Pop along for a relaxed hour's crafting with our friendly team.
Explore Castleford's colourful and crafty past and try out a different activity each month.
All materials provided.
Free and no booking required.
Light Up: Shadow puppets
Castleford Museum
19 Nov 2024
We’re celebrating Castleford Light Up with a special evening of family activities!
Discover the age-old activity of shadow puppets. Learn how to shapeshift your hands into a whole range of characters.
Make fantastic shadow puppets to take with you and put on a show at home!
We’ll also have a range of magical museum objects exploring how people lit up their homes in the past.
This activity is part of Light Up - Fringe activity and Our Year - Wakefield District 2024
Free and no booking required
Museum Minis (Ages 2 to 5)
Wakefield Museum
21 Nov 2024
Meet Alphabet Cat and take part in activities, rhymes and more!
Each month there's a new theme to help you explore Wakefield Museum.
Have fun learning and playing together and tick off the following on your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5:
#6 Rhyme Time, #7 Making Music, #11 Making Connections, #39 Talking Signs, #40 Happy History
Every Thursday morning from 10.30am to 11.30am during term time.
Free and no booking required
These sessions are designed for toddlers aged 2 to 5 and their families.
Please note: The fire alarms in Wakefield One are tested at 11am on Thursdays. We have ear defenders you and / or your children can borrow.
Dungeon Tours
Pontefract Castle
22 Nov 2024
Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.
Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.